ANN HOGGARD, circa 1760

This English sampler has been executed with many different stitches in a bold palette of color, in silks on fine linen. Cross, eyelet and backstitched latticework decorates all four corners. A satin stitched sawtooth border outlines all four sides. At the top center is a sun-shaped flower made with stem, satin and bullion stitches. Elaborate and delicate vines, tendrils, leaves and flowers flow from either side, done with stem, satin, straight and bullion stitches. The verse, executed in Algerian eyelet and cross stitch, reads:

Virtues the chiefest beauty of the mind
The noblest ornament of human kind
Virtues our safeguard and our guiding star
That stirs up reason when our senses err

The large floral spray at the center of the sampler retains its original brilliant color and has been meticulously stitched with satin, stem, straight, split and bullion stitches. The flowers on either side are done in eyelet stitch and the geometric bands below them are worked in Gobelin stitch. A large stag flanked by trees and birds completes this extraordinary sampler, set in a 19th century maple frame. There are some minor holes around the outer border, and minor fading, particularly in the verse. It measures 13" x 16-1/2", or 16-1/4" x 19-1/2" with the frame. $1300

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